Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs JosĂ© Manuel Albares noted that the country “doesn’t want a ‘no deal’ scenario” for EU’s relationship with Gibraltar.
He stressed that the ball was in the UK’s court after nearly a dozen rounds of negotiations and added that Spain and the EU are prepared for all scenarios, according to The Guardian reporting on Monday.
Albares reminded that the Brexit deal does not cover Gibraltar and added that Spain and the UK agreed in principle some two years ago to allow the British overseas territory to join the Schengen Area.
Talks to formalise the agreement started in 2021, with Spain and the EU on one side and the UK delegation including Gibraltarian officials on the other.
Negotiators are focused on practical issues including the daily transit of roughly 15,000 workers between Spain and Gibraltar and economic effects of new trade and travel arrangements, among other.
The two sides do not agree on who will perform passport checks at the Gibraltar International Airport, with Spain insisting to be put in charge as the sponsoring member of the Schengen Area.
On the other hand, the UK wants the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to be responsible for the checks.
Stalled talks
While both sides described the latest round of negotiations as constructive and recognised the other’s good will, they made little progress.
“Obviously we cannot be in this situation forever,” Albares noted and added “the UK has to say clearly if it wants this agreement, which is global and touches all aspects of what has to be the relationship between Spain and the UK regarding Gibraltar, or if it does not want it.”
He expressed belief that the proposal was “reasonable and balanced,” stressing that Madrid was “ready to sign tomorrow.” Albares did not say how much longer the EU and Spain were prepared to continue negotiating.
Joseph Garcia, Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar, noted “the government remains firmly committed to the negotiation of a treaty but has the duty to prepare for no treaty at the same time.”
The UK Foreign Office noted that talks are to continue in the coming weeks and concluded “the UK remains steadfast in our support for Gibraltar and we will not agree to anything that compromises sovereignty.”
